Buildings In Ghana Research Articles

The state of fire safety in industrial buildings in Ghana: a case study of Tema metropolis

This research ascertains the state of fire safety measures in industrial buildings in the Tema metropolis of Ghana. In all 12 industries were sampled. The study looked at the design...

The Effects of Form and Orientation on Energy Performance of Residential Buildings in Ghana

The form and orientation of a building can have an effect on energy performance. The difficulty has been to find the most energy efficient form-aspect ratio. In this paper, a volume with differ-ent aspect ratios has been used to investigate the effect on energy performance (cooling load). The volume used is of the same construction and an hourly dynamic simulation programme was used for the analysis. It was evident that the square form was the most energy efficient whiles elongated forms used much energy. However, since spaces could warm up when oriented to-wards the east and west, the authors further recommend a detailed look into the function of spaces in design schemes and the use of simulation for design alternatives.Keywords: Form, Orientation, Energy Performance, Cooling Load

Simulation Based Analysis On The Effects Of Orientation On Energy Performance Of Residential Buildings In Ghana

Since the energy crisis in 2007, energy performance of buildings is gradually becoming an issue in Ghana. The authors of this paper used simulation as a tool to analyse three conventional resi-dential building types, in order to see the effects of orientation on energy performance, specifi-cally on cooling loads. The three building types; a single storey square block, a single storey rec-tangular block and a two storey square block with different thermal properties were modelled and simulated. Alternate north angles were used and results compared for the best orientation resulting in minimum cooling loads in the climatic context of Kumasi, Ghana. The results on the rectangular building indicated the best orientation as being north and south. No particular ori-entation could be recommended for the single and two storey building (with square plans) and this showed that the influence of other factors such as windows, configuration and function of spaces, and building mass directly affected cooling loads and eventually orientation.Keywords: Simulation, Orientation, Energy Performance, Cooling Load, North Angle

Unveiling Energy Saving Techniques for Cooling in Residential Buildings in Ghana

The gradual shift from the traditional approach of outdoor processes of habitation in Ghana to the indoor, coupled with an ingress of solar radiation, liberates excess heat into buildings and makes occupants feel uncomfortable. A straightforward response has been the adoption of air conditioners. This has resulted in high peak electricity demand and excess emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This paper identifies passive and low energy techniques which can improve the thermal comfort in buildings for the different climate zones of Ghana, and consequently reduce electricity demand and environmental effects due to air conditioning. The potential for various passive and low energy cooling techniques was determined by plotting climatic data comprising average monthly temperature and relative humidity over a thirty year period (1976–2005) for a total of ten towns and cities from the various climatic zones of Ghana on the Building Bioclimatic chart. This work is aimed at encouraging innovative and individual design solutions amongst building design professionals applicable to Ghana and regions elsewhere that are experiencing a growth in air conditioning. Reducing peak cooling-energy demand is of great interest to the power generating industries and policy makers. It is of interest to building investors, since it implies a possible reduction in the required installed plant capacity. This is also an essential element in Ghana’s Climate Change Mitigation Program.

Maintenance of residential buildings in Ghana: Analyses of problems, cuases and policy interventions

Maintenance of residential buildings in Ghana: Analyses of problems, cuases and policy interventions

Variability in stochastic sustained and extraordinary load processes

The paper reports on live load surveys conducted on institutional and hotel buildings in Ghana. Results for sustained load events in institutional and hotel regions are presented in detail. Four room-uses were identified for institutional regions and six for hotel regions. Rare data for an extraordinary load event in domestic regions are also presented. A stochastic model is then used to synthesise the main load events into a lifetime equivalent uniformly distributed load (EUDL) and compared with similar surveys conducted in Europe and America. The study also shows a relationship between discrete concentrated loads and sustained load events which enables natural load saturation points for a room use to be determined. The results of the study show considerable variability with previous studies and conclusions are thus drawn on the relevance of this study to existing structural engineering practice.